Plants on death row in changing world

Sydney Morning Herald by Deborah Smith | Feb. 19, 2009 (Special Report)

MOST southern hemisphere plants - except for weeds - will not be able to adapt to rapid climate change, a study of more than 11,000 species suggests.

Researchers, including the Sydney botanist Peter Weston, traced the history of plants that live in a range of different habitats including bogs, alpine regions, rainforests and arid environments.

They found the vast majority were still stuck in their old ways. Despite tens of millions of ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu

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Subjects: World, Politics, Sci/Tech, Living
Topics: Global Warming, Science, Food, Climate Change
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Posted by: Posted by Dwight Rousu - Feb 18, 2009 - 10:33 PM PST
Reviewed by: Dwight Rousu (review), Kevin Barry (review), Kaizar Campwala (review), Kenneth Sibbett (review), Norman Rogers (review), Mark Steele (review), Dana Noel Mack (review)
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Edited by: Dwight Rousu - Feb 18, 2009 - 10:33 PM PST
Related Comments: Climate Change (9)

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Kaizar Campwala
3.6
 by Kaizar Campwala - Feb. 20, 2009

A decent report on a scientific study. No accompanying analysis, or response from key stake holders in this issue.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Dwight Rousu
4.1
 by Dwight Rousu - Feb. 20, 2009

The story highlights scientific concerns with global climate change effects upon plants and biodiversity.

Dwight posted this story.
See Full Review » (12 answers)
Kevin Barry
2.5
 by Kevin Barry - Feb. 20, 2009

This article talks about how rapid climate change could wipe out a large number of plants in the southern hemisphere as they are unable to adapt. Very light on details (it refers to a study published in Nature, but this article could have included more information about methodology, specific finding, more interpretation by experts). On the plus side, it is a quick read.

Usually, I read about how adaptable most plants and animals can be to changing environments, so it is surprising to read about most plants could be wiped out by such a scenario. Once again, I would have loved it if there were more details presented to learn how this conclusion was reached.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Kenneth Sibbett
3.5
 by Kenneth Sibbett - Feb. 20, 2009

A somewhat quick review of how if global warming, if not addressed, will wipe out most plants, except weeds.

See Full Review » (5 answers)
Norman Rogers
2.0
 by Norman Rogers - Feb. 19, 2009

A typical global warming scare story. The earth has been warming for several hundred years and we aren't overrun with weeds.

See Full Review » (6 answers)

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